Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Arab-Israeli Dispute; United Arab Republic; North Africa, Volume XIII

48. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, November 21, 1958¹

Washington, November 21, 1958

SUBJECT

• Palestine Refugees

PARTICIPANTS

• The Acting Secretary
• Ambassador Abdullah Khayyal of Saudi Arabia
• Mr. Ibrahim Muhtasib, Attaché, Saudi Arabian Embassy
• IO—Mr. Walter N. Walmsley
• NEA—Mr. James M. Ludlow
• NE—Mr. David D. Newsom

Ambassador Khayyal said that the Arabs had the impression from a recent speech by the United States delegation at the United Nations General Assembly that the United States sought the cancellation of UNRWA in 1960 and was also suggesting a commission to look into the refugee matter.²

The Ambassador said that, at a meeting of all Arab Ambassadors, he was selected to represent them in presenting their point of view and that of their governments in this matter. He said the Arabs had noted the desire of the United States for good relations with the Arab world and that the Ambassadors had conveyed such expressions of desire to their governments. The abolition of UNRWA, however, would have bad echoes in Arab countries. The Arabs desired good relations with the United States and did not wish a repetition of past mistakes.

In answer to a question from Governor Herter as to what the Ambassador meant by past mistakes, he said that United States support for the Palestine Partition Plan and the failure of the United States to insist upon the execution of the United Nations resolutions on Palestine were mistakes.

The Ambassador said the Arabs hoped for a renewal of UNRWA and for its continuance until a solution could be found. Above all, he said, the Arabs would not want any change in UNRWA which did not have the approval of the Arab countries.

Governor Herter explained that the United States was now paying seventy per cent of the cost of UNRWA and that it was difficult to get other nations to meet their share. Moreover, he said, Congress has made it clear to the Executive Branch that they do not intend indefinitely to appropriate money for the refugees and want some solution. Congress is assuming that UNRWA will end in 1960. Much of UNRWA’s work already has suffered curtailment because of lack of funds.

Governor Herter stressed that everyone wished the United States to go on paying but no one had come forward with a solution. The United States would not wish to see people starve but he said the likelihood of continuing assistance would be strengthened if the Arabs indicated some willingness to discuss a longer range solution. The United States would be happy, he said, if the Arabs would appoint someone to sit down and discuss the matter with the United States. The United States would be willing also to sit down with the Israelis.

Ambassador Khayyal stressed that the Arabs were not prepared to sit down with the Israelis. He suggested that the United States should put pressure on Israel to implement existing resolutions rather than urge the Arabs to talk with the Israelis. It was because the Israelis failed to execute the United Nations resolutions that the United States was now required to pay for the refugees.

Mr. Ludlow pointed out that the United States was a member of the Palestine Conciliation Commission set up by the 1948 resolutions and had made many representations to Israel. The Department had, however, been forced to report to Congress that the resolutions were not implemented.

Ambassador Khayyal stressed again that the Arab governments did not wish the United States to adopt any move toward cancelling UNRWA or to suggest sending a committee.

Mr. Walmsley stated that the United States was not making any move toward the cancellation of UNRWA which would be ending, in any event, in 1960. This country sought only a study to find out what should follow the expiration of UNRWA. This commission, he said, could recommend that the agency be continued.

The Ambassador repeated that he believed it to be in the interest of good relations between the United States and the Arabs to continue UNRWA and to avoid any discussions of new suggestions except those related to the implementation of the present resolutions.

Governor Herter commented that the United States could support the continuance of UNRWA but if it were not able to put up the money, who would support it?

Ambassador Khayyal said that the refugee problem resulted from decisions taken by the United Nations and the United Nations continued to be responsible. Further, he said, no one could deny the influence of the United States Government in this matter and the moral and material responsibility of the United States.

Governor Herter said that even if the Department wished to continue UNRWA it would have a more difficult time getting funds to continue from Congress. He said that the Department anticipated a difficult time even for the one remaining year.

In closing Ambassador Khayyal repeated the three part position of the Arab Governments, namely, that they wish to continue UNRWA beyond 1960, they were opposed to any commissions, and would accept a solution only on the basis of existing resolutions.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.511/11–2158. Confidential. Drafted by Newsom, initialed by Newsom and Ludlow, and approved by Herter on December 2.
2. Throughout October and early November, the U.S. Delegation at the United Nations discussed the texts of various resolutions dealing with the future of UNRWA. Documentation on these discussions is ibid., 320.511. The particular speech referred to here is probably George Harrison’s speech in the Special Political Committee, November 10. For text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pp. 901–907.